Brighton Bathing Boxes

82 Victorian-era painted bathing boxes line Dendy Street Beach in Brighton. The flag-painted box is the most famous, and the row is one of Melbourne's classic photo spots.

The Brighton Bathing Boxes stand on Dendy Street Beach in the Brighton district, 12 km southeast of Melbourne's CBD. There are 82 wooden bathing boxes, first built around 1862. In the Victorian era they served as changing rooms for swimmers who followed strict codes of propriety. Today they are all privately owned, and one sold for more than AUD 300,000. Each owner has painted the exterior in a different color or design. The most famous are the box painted with the Australian flag and the one decorated with koalas, kangaroos, and surfboards. The boxes are off-limits to visitors inside, but the beach is free to access. Walking past all 82 boxes takes about 15 minutes, with Port Phillip Bay and the distant Melbourne CBD skyline behind them. Tips: photograph the fronts in the morning when the light is good. In the evening the boxes are backlit, but the sky and sea make beautiful sunsets. The sea is calm in summer, which makes it a good place to swim. You can follow the seafront path to Bay Street near Brighton Beach station for cafés and small shops. Another 15 minutes' drive south is St Kilda Beach, where the pier is home to little penguins that can be seen after sunset. Getting there: take the Sandringham line train from Flinders Street Station for about 25 minutes to Middle Brighton or Brighton Beach station. From Brighton Beach station, it is about a 10-minute walk along the beach. Outside the free tram zone, you'll need a Myki or a credit card. Notes: the boxes are private property, so please do not climb on, open, or lean against them. Weekends in summer are crowded, and photos can involve waiting in line. The beach offers no shade, so use sunscreen. Please do not occupy the area in front of the boxes for long photo sessions.

Brighton Bathing Boxes

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